Wound dressing port and associated wound dressing

Abstract

A wound dressing for use in a vacuum wound therapy treatment includes a backing layer for positioning over a wound to define a reservoir in which a reduced pressure may be maintained over the wound. A portal member affixed to the backing layer provides a connection to a reduced pressure source through an opening in an ambient surface. A primary port extends between the opening and a primary aperture in a reservoir surface to providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the reduced pressure source. At least one supplemental port establishes fluid communication between the primary port and a supplemental aperture in the reservoir surface that is distinct and substantially spaced from the primary aperture.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A negative pressure wound therapy dressing comprising:
 a backing layer configured to be placed over a wound; and 
 a port having a wound-facing surface and configured to be affixed to the backing layer, the port comprising:
 an opening configured to be in fluidic communication with a source of negative pressure; 
 a primary aperture configured to be in fluidic communication with the wound, the primary aperture positioned on the wound-facing surface; 
 a primary port extending between the opening and the primary aperture, the primary port configured to communicate negative pressure from the source of negative pressure to the wound; 
 a plurality of supplemental ports in fluidic communication with the primary port and a plurality of supplemental apertures positioned on the wound-facing surface and configured to be in fluidic communication with the wound, wherein the plurality of supplemental apertures surround the primary aperture and are distributed over the wound-facing surface such that a first supplemental aperture is not collinear with a second and third supplemental aperture of the plurality of supplemental apertures. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The wound dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the port is molded from flexible polymer. 
     
     
       3. The wound dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the port further comprises an attachment flange adapted for connection to the backing layer. 
     
     
       4. The wound dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the backing layer comprises a flexible polymeric membrane. 
     
     
       5. The wound dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the backing layer is configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal around a perimeter of a wound to define a reservoir configured to maintain negative pressure. 
     
     
       6. The wound dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the backing layer comprises an adhesive coating around a periphery thereof, the adhesive coating adapted to affix the backing layer over the wound and to provide a substantially fluid tight seal around the perimeter of the wound. 
     
     
       7. The wound dressing according to  claim 6 , wherein the adhesive coating is interrupted such that an intermediate portion of the backing layer remains uncoated. 
     
     
       8. The wound dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the supplemental apertures are distinct and spaced from the primary aperture. 
     
     
       9. The wound dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the port is pre-affixed to the backing layer. 
     
     
       10. The wound dressing according to  claim 1 , further comprising a wound contact layer configured to be positioned in direct contact with the wound, the wound contact layer configured to permit substantially unidirectional fluid flow so that exudate removed from the wound is prevented from flowing back into the wound. 
     
     
       11. A vacuum wound therapy system comprising:
 a wound contact layer configured to be positioned in direct contact with a wound, the wound contact layer configured to permit substantially unidirectional fluid flow so that exudate removed from the wound is prevented from flowing back into the wound; 
 an absorbent filler overlying the wound contact layer; 
 a backing layer overlying the absorbent filler and configured to be positioned over the wound to define a vacuum reservoir over the wound; and 
 a port having a wound-facing surface and configured to be affixed to the backing layer outside the vacuum reservoir, the port comprising:
 an opening configured to be in fluidic communication with a source of negative pressure; 
 a primary aperture configured to be in fluidic communication with the wound, the primary aperture positioned on the wound-facing surface; 
 a primary port extending between the opening and the primary aperture, the primary port configured to communicate negative pressure from the source of negative pressure to the wound; 
 a plurality of supplemental ports in fluidic communication with the primary port and a plurality of supplemental apertures positioned on the wound-facing surface and configured to be in fluidic communication with the wound, wherein the plurality of supplemental apertures surround the primary aperture and are distributed over the wound-facing surface such that a first supplemental aperture is not collinear with a second and third supplemental aperture of the plurality of supplemental apertures. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The vacuum wound therapy system according to  claim 11 , wherein the absorbent filler comprises a non-reticulated foam, non-woven fabric, or gauze. 
     
     
       13. The vacuum wound therapy system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a vacuum system in fluid communication with the vacuum reservoir. 
     
     
       14. The vacuum wound therapy system according to  claim 13 , wherein the vacuum system includes a vacuum source, a collection canister and a one-way valve. 
     
     
       15. The vacuum wound therapy system according to  claim 11 , wherein the supplemental apertures are distinct and spaced from the primary aperture. 
     
     
       16. The vacuum wound therapy system according to  claim 11 , wherein the primary aperture and the plurality of supplemental apertures are positioned over the absorbent filler. 
     
     
       17. The vacuum wound therapy system according to  claim 11 , wherein the port further comprises an attachment flange adapted for connection to the backing layer. 
     
     
       18. The vacuum wound therapy system according to  claim 11 , wherein the port is pre-affixed to the backing layer.